On July 7, 2018, of natural causes at the age of 87. She is survived by four children: Christopher Henley (Jay Hardee), Anthony Henley, Megan Henley Kinney (George Patrick Kinney), and Edward Henley (Michelle Leaford); four grandchildren: Chloe and Jack Henley, and Aksel and Ivona Henley-Hardee; and sister Lucy Asher Wicks. She was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Thomas J. Henley, Jr.

Joan was born and raised in upstate New York. She matriculated at the University of Rochester, where she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. Upon graduation, she came to Washington to work as an editor for the Foreign Broadcast Information Service. It was there that she met her future husband Tom. They were posted to England where they styled themselves "the Henleys of Henley-on-Thames." They were there on the heartbreaking day when they heard the brief transmission: "This is Radio Free Hungary signing off."

On returning to the United States, Joan resumed her studies. She earned a Master of Arts and a Ph.D. in Literary Studies at American University. In the 1970s, she began teaching at the University of Baltimore at a time when minority studies were being developed at universities. She helped to develop courses in Women's Literature, Black Literature, and, a special interest of hers, Native American Literature. She also served terms as Director of the College of Liberal Arts Honors Program and President of the College's Faculty Senate.

Joan received great pleasure from her family and friends, who included her "Dear Ones," The Maple Avenue Book Group.

She also shared her husband Tom's interests in politics, literature, and baseball. But what she liked most was telling stories that made people laugh.

The family wishes to thank Montgomery Hospice and St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church of Bethesda (The Rev. Jeffrey B. MacKnight, Rector) for their care and support. Service of remembrance will be held at St. Dunstan's, 5450 Massachusetts Ave., Bethesda, MD 20816 on Friday, July 20 at 12:30 p.m.